Barnet are five points from safety with three games remaining after being forced to settle for a 2-2 draw in their crucial relegation battle at Grimsby Town.

The Bees shrugged off the disappointment of conceding a goal in the sixth minute to score twice in the second half, but they could only hold their lead for a matter of minutes before Grimsby equalised from the penalty spot.

Second-half goals from substitute Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro and Curtis Weston had put the Bees ahead at Blundell Park after a poor display in the opening period had seen the hosts deservedly ahead at the interval.

Despite injury scares in the build-up Barnet boss Martin Allen was able to name the same starting XI that had defeated Forest Green Rovers at the Hive a week previously.

The game started at a frenetic pace in-front of a passionate crowd with Shaq Coulthirst going close for the visitors when he latched on to a defensive error but his lofted effort sailed the over the bar.

But it was the home side who took the lead from a corner after just six minutes of play with Danny Collins firing the ball high into the net.

JJ Hooper then tested Barnet keeper Craig Ross with a curling effort as the home side went about increasing their lead and easing their own relegation worries.

Barnet were finding it difficult to impose themselves on the match, with the Mariners working hard to deny their opponents time on the ball to develop attacks.

The best the Bees could muster in a largely uninspired first half was a Michael Nelson header in the 21st minute which was well kept out by James McKeown in the Grimsby goal.

The Bees were pushing for an equaliser in the closing minutes of the opening period but Grimsby had clearly been the better outfit during the first period.

A stern team talk during the interval soon paid dividends for the visitors though, with the Bees looking like a different team after the break, forcing the home side back and creating opportunities and openings.

Akpa Akpro scored the well-deserved leveller for the visitors moments after entering the fray as a second-half substitute, his shot from the edge of the penalty area delighting the travelling Barnet fans.

Full-back Richard Brindley then went close for the Bees with an effort from distance, but it was Weston’s 79th-minute shot that squeezed past McKeown that raised the prospect of a first away win under Allen’s stewardship.

Barnet’s hopes were then cruelly dashed just moments later when Brindley fouled Simeon Jackson, with referee Darren Bond awarding a spot-kick without hesitation.

Despite keeper Ross going the right way, Mitch Rose’s penalty found the back of the net to level the scores at 2-2.

Barnet’s objective had clearly been to win this match in order reduce the gap between the teams above; the draw was welcomed enthusiastically by Grimsby supporters, and with just three games remaining time is rapidly running out. But should Barnet somehow survive the point gained at Blundell Park might yet prove a vital one.

Barnet: Ross, Brindley, Nelson, Watson, Weston, Tutonda, Kyei (Clough 35), Nicholls (Akpa Akpro 59), Sweeney, Akinde, Coulthirst. Subs not used: McKenzie-Lyle, J.Taylor, Fonguck, Shomotun, Payne.